Gāyatrī Mahāvijñāna – 02

The Origin of Vedamātā Gāyatrī

The Vedas are synonymous with knowledge. This knowledge is classified into four categories—Ṛk, Yajuḥ, Sāma, and Atharva. Each of these divisions serves a distinct purpose in human evolution:

1. Ṛk encompasses auspiciousness, divine realization, spirituality, righteousness, devotion, duty, love, austerity, compassion, selflessness, generosity, and service.
2. Yajuḥ pertains to courage, valor, perseverance, leadership, conquest, fame, honor, and social prestige.
3. Sāma governs art, music, literature, pleasure, imagination, movement, fulfillment, recreation, and sensual enjoyment.
4. Atharva involves material wealth, prosperity, medicine, agriculture, metals, vehicles, and all means of physical well-being.

If we scientifically analyze the conscious and subconscious activities of any living being, we find that all their thoughts and actions revolve within these four domains:

1. Ṛk – Spiritual Well-being (Dharma)
2. Yajuḥ – Strength and Action (Mokṣa)
3. Sāma – Recreation and Pleasure (Kāma)
4. Atharva – Material Prosperity (Artha)

These four domains constitute the entire field of human consciousness, and the Vedas embody this fourfold wisdom. That is why Brahmā, the creator, is depicted as Chaturmukha (four-faced)—symbolizing the emanation of knowledge through four streams. Though Vedic knowledge is one, it manifests as fourfold wisdom within the human intellect. To facilitate understanding, the one Veda was divided into four sections.

This quadripartite division is reflected in multiple aspects of life:

• The four arms of Lord Viṣṇu represent these four domains.
• The four Āśramas (stages of life) correspond to these classifications:
  • Brahmacharya – Childhood and learning (aligned with Sāma, playfulness and education).
  • Gṛhastha – Adulthood and material pursuits (aligned with Atharva, wealth and responsibilities).
  • Vānaprastha – Middle age and social contributions (aligned with Yajuḥ, strength and leadership).
  • Sannyāsa – Renunciation and spiritual realization (aligned with Ṛk, the pursuit of truth).
• The four Varnas (social orders) are structured in the same manner:
  • Brāhmaṇa (Ṛk – Wisdom and spirituality).
  • Kṣatriya (Yajuḥ – Strength and governance).
  • Vaiśya (Atharva – Commerce and prosperity).
  • Śūdra (Sāma – Art, service, and creativity).

Thus, this fourfold division pervades all aspects of creation.

Gāyatrī as the Source of Vedic Knowledge

These four branches of wisdom originated from the conscious energy that Brahmā created at the beginning of creation, which is revered as Gāyatrī. The scriptures, therefore, declare Gāyatrī as “Vedamātā” (Mother of the Vedas).

This is analogous to how water manifests in four different forms—ice, vapor (cloud, mist, dew), gas (hydrogen and oxygen), and liquid water. Similarly, fire manifests in four ways—combustion, heat, light, and motion. Likewise, one unified knowledge (Gāyatrī) expresses itself in fourfold Vedic wisdom.

Since Gāyatrī is the mother, the four Vedas are her children.

The Manifestation of Gāyatrī in the Physical Realm

Before composing the four Vedas, Brahmā first created the 24-syllable Gāyatrī Mantra. Each syllable of this mantra contains a subtle seed of divine wisdom, from which the four Vedas branched out.

This process can be compared to a banyan tree—its entire vast structure, with countless branches, leaves, and fruits, is contained within a tiny seed. Once the seed germinates, it grows into a massive tree, expanding beyond imagination. Similarly, the 24 syllables of Gāyatrī contain within them the entire vast body of Vedic knowledge.

Comparison with the Emergence of Sanskrit Grammar

A similar process occurred in the creation of Sanskrit grammar. Lord Śiva, in a state of divine bliss, once played his Damru (drum), producing fourteen cosmic sound vibrations. These vibrations formed the basis of the Mahāvyākaraṇa (great science of grammar), composed by Pāṇini. Over time, scholars expanded upon these foundational fourteen aphorisms, giving rise to an enormous body of grammatical literature.

Just as Sanskrit grammar originated from Śiva’s fourteen vibrations, the entire Vedic literature emerged from the 24 syllables of the Gāyatrī Mantra.

Thus, Gāyatrī is the fundamental sutra, and the Vedic hymns are its detailed elaborations.